Every person has a unique fingerprint that identifies us distinctly from other people. The Scripture tells us that each one of us was made uniquely by the hand of God. Some of us love how we are made, while others hate how we are made. The majority of us find ourselves somewhere in-between: liking some aspects and disliking other aspects of ourselves. How do we understand the unique shaping of our lives by the hand of God, before our birth and through our life events?
Key Passages: Psalm 139:13-18; Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 1:4-5; Matthew 10:29-31; Ephesians 2:10
SERMON OUTLINE
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)
The Uniqueness of Human Beings within Creation
- The similarity of human beings to the rest of creation [Genesis 1:31)
- The uniqueness of human beings from the rest of creation [Genesis 1:27-28; 2:5-7, 15; Psalm 8]
The Uniqueness of Individual Human Beings
- The natural creativity of God in each human life [Psalm 139:13-18]
- The spiritual creativity of God in each human life [Romans 12:6-8]
The Uniqueness of Our Brokenness
- Human brokenness [Romans 5:12]
- Individual brokenness [2 Corinthians 12:7-8]
The Uniqueness of God’s Relationship with Individual Human Beings
- God’s unique care [Matthew 10:29-31]
- God’s unique purpose [Jeremiah 1:4-5]
- God’s unique craftsmanship in Christ [Ephesians 2:10]
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What would you say is one of the most unique things about who you are?
- As we continue our series “Who Am I?” this week we explore the way in which human beings, and each of us individually, or uniquely formed by God. Begin your study by praying that God would teach you about this theme as you study His Word.
- Read Genesis 1:27-28 and 2:5-7 & 15 aloud. What do these passages tell us about the uniqueness of human beings in relation to the rest of creation? What does this tell you about humanity’s purpose in creation?
- Next let’s spend some time with Psalm 139:13-18. Read that passage aloud and consider the following questions:
- What do these verses help us understand about God’s role in our creation?
- What do these verses help us understand about who we are?
- What is one thing that personally encourages you from these verses?
- Jeremiah 1:4-5 gives us insight into the way God uniquely relates to each of us through the Prophet Jeremiah’s experience. While specific to Jeremiah, what do you think we learn about God’s relation to us all from these verses?
- How have you gained a sense of God’s unique fashioning of you through your life?
- In Matthew 10:29-31 how does Jesus talk about God’s care for us as people? What does this mean?
- As the final point of his reflection on the grace of God in Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God’s handiwork. What do you think this means in relation to the gospel and to how our lives are lived as a response to God?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study? If you are on your own, write it down and pray about it. If you are in a small group, take time to discuss this with one another before praying together.